It is only fair that the host of a charity event should be the most stunning attendee.

And Alicia Keys made sure this was the case when she attended her Keep A Child Alive's Black Ball in New York on Thrusday.

She looked gorgeous in a flattering burgundy as she led the way at the city's Apollo Theatre.

Star of the show: Alicia Keys looked stunning at her charity Keep a Child Alive's Black Ball in New York on Thursday

The 31-year-old looked particularly pleased when she posed next to her proud mother Teresa Augello on the red carpet.

But she was not the only one who shone however, for Padma Lakshmi looked good enough to eat in a stunning white ball gown that showed just why former husband Salman Rushdie found her so desirable.

It was certainly a fun evening, and during the auction one man was
ready to jump his bid from $100,000 to $250,000 for a trip to South
Africa — if Keys would join him and his friends.

She teased him, saying : 'I'll go for a little more,'

While the man — pharmaceutical billionaire Stewart Rahr — didn't raise his
bid, but he later pledged $1 million to Keep a Child Alive, helping the
R&B singer raise more than $1.3 million.

Million dollar smile: No wonder Alicia's posters adorned the walls of thousands of young male RnB fans

Cunning: Alicia made sure to wear a dress that hid her chunky thighs and drew attention to her lovely shoulders

Family resemblance: Alicia looked excited to be posing alongside her mother Teresa Augello

Keys' charity assists those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Thursday's event was originally planned for Nov. 1, but was canceled due to Superstorm Sandy.

Alicia said: 'There are places in the world where Keep a Child Alive serves where they have a Hurricane Sandy every day.

'They don't have electricity, they don't have heat... and that made me more invigorated to make sure this Black Ball happened.'

No wonder he's smiling: Jolly Peter Twyman could not believe his luck as he posed with stunning Padma Lakshmi

Rearly impressive: Padma's fantastically firm derrière is just one of the reasons she won the heart of handsome novelist Salman Rushdie

Keys honoured Oprah Winfrey at the
event for the entrepreneur's philanthropic efforts, including her
school, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa,
which launched in 2007.

"It's a universal truth, Oprah makes change happen," Keys said.

Winfrey said she was honoured to receive an award from Keys, and that it confirms she's "moving in the right direction."

'You try to keep a child alive and I try to educate them as best as I can,' Winfrey said onstage.

Bonnie lass: Music star Raitt looked surprisingly good in this black trouser suit

Glamour girls: Angelique Kidjo tired her best not to look intimidated standing next to Alicia and Padma

Before that, a video played onscreen detailing the launch of Winfrey's
school and how the mogul struggled in her early years, riding on a bus
with maids from the inner city to the suburbs to attend a better high
school.

'When I look at Africans girls I see myself,' 58-year-old Winfrey said.
;I continue to work for them to have the same opportunities that I
have.'

Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo was also honored and she joined Keys onstage for some upbeat, drum-filled numbers.

Double take: Victoria's secret favourite Chanel Iman was there while Oprah's lackey Gayle King also attended

Bonnie Raitt also performed, as she and Keys sang a duet version of her
slow groove 'I Just Can't Make You Love Me.' Keys said it was 'one of my
dreams to sing' with Raitt.

Jennifer Hudson and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes also hit the stage, where Whoopi Goldberg worked as the night's emcee.

'I read "50 Shades of Grey" so I stay away from paddles,' Goldberg said when the auction began.